solopaddler

So if one has no use for the show one needs an attitude adjustment? If I was in the market for a boat I'd be first in line to buy a ticket for the show, that's just common sense. Ahh..maybe I'm just old and jaded.

More like A License to Bill. Not very intimidating unless you happen to be my lawyer.

You're a good man Doug. We spent the morning with the wee ones sledding then I left at 1pm for my 16 hour shift.

That's right on and exactly what I was alluding to. The only reason to go really is to share a few laughs and knock back a few cold ones. Something you still can't do online. (That is until the day we're all strapped into our virtual reality pods and never leave the house for anything. )

Was this boat free?

Roy has as point regarding the internet factor. Back in the day you had to go to the show to get the scoop on all the new gear. Now it's just a click away. The other big negative for me now is the lack of outfitters. We'd attend the show in March solely to check out outfitters and book our yearly trip. (As well as check out the retriever trials and other shows) There were hundreds that attended the old T.O. show. These days there's hardly any. Many of the truly good outfitters havn't attended in years because their business is mostly repeat and word of mouth. By and large it's the guys who're scrambling and hustling for business who attend.

The Toronto Sportsmans show when it was in the colliseum was always the highlight of my winter as a child and young adult. The current crop of shows are a mere shadow in comparison. Unless I'm either: a.Meeting friends or B. Working a show, there's no way no how would I ever waste my money. And I've felt that way for a looong time.

Looks like two different colours to me.

Personally I prefer the outpost camp trips where you fend for yourself and are completely alone. If that's something you and your group would consider I can recommend a bunch. The price is a bit lower as well.

The Trolls-To looks decent I have high hopes for it.

That would be it.

Can you post a pic please?

Sign of the times, that's really too bad.

Living so close you're tempting me. Nice fish.

Sorry to hear, may she rest in peace.

You said you had some work ahead of you...you weren't kidding. Keep us posted on the progress.

Wow, impressive! (Just a tip lad, but with valentines day fast approaching you should have pulled the sled....with her in it. )

You don't need anymore stuff Marvin!

$1500 per person will easily allow you the luxury of a fly in destination. Most of the choices (but not all) you listed are drive-to. Yes it's possible to have a truly great experience at a drive-to lodge, but by and large the fly in experience wins hands down. Nagagami is a very good lake. these guys are probably the best outfitter on the lake and the best value. They are however a housekeeping camp: http://www.expeditions-north.com/02-lodge.htm Other great lodges in your price range with american plan that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend are: http://www.esnagami.com/tour.asp http://www.leuenberger.ca/kag.htm (I've stayed here twice, it's great) http://www.metalakelodgefishing.com/Welcome.html (didn't stay at Meta lodge but have fished the system and it's as good as it gets)

Thanks, not the right colour though. Thanks for the heads up. There's been chatter on the net for some time about it. Pretty much every online retailer is either blowing them out at reduced prices (I missed Cabelas big sale ), or in some cases jacking up the price on their remaining ones. There's a couple of Stateside online retailers that have what I want but that's a last resort.

They do rock.

Nope, the tail dancer is different. It's a banana shaped bait with a more erratic action. Good lure as well though. As mentioned it's called the Rapala Minnow Rap.

Seems like every time I find a lure that I really like, a lure that actually catches fish, it gets discontinued. The Minnow Rap wasn't out that long, but what a great lure. Similar to the Shad Rap but a longer more stretched out profile. I've caught tons of fish on these things, for me they're money in the bank. The #9 and #11 model in the purpledescent colour are lethal on walleye. If I'd known in adavance I would have grabbed what I needed when they were still readily available. They're still available at a few places online and ebay, but I suspect supplies are limited. If anyone knows of a source for the purple ones in #9 & #11 sizes in Canada drop me a line. I'll be eternally grateful.

No problemo guys that's why I posted the link.

I've only had a couple of rods built so far with counterweights. It's permanent and has to be done before the rod is built. Leave the butt cap off and insert small chunks of pencil lead into the butt with your reel of choice on the rod. Once perfect balance is achieved glue the lead into the butt and glue the butt cap on. I've found that been 1/2-3/4oz does the trick for me. I like more of a spey style handle with the reel further down the handle closer to the butt. The counterweight helps immensley. For those that prefer a short fore grip and longer rear grip (more of a spinning rod style) it's less important to have counterweight obviously. Side note, but most butt caps aren't that hard to pry off with care. Pretty much any float rod could be balanced this way.